Zephrun’s Imperium

Hah, this is embarrassing, y'all remember on Wednesday when I said I'd post a status update about my spring break on Monday? Well, I was extremely tired and forgot that I got home TODAY, not Monday. So, the moment you've been waiting for... (at least the moment Cinnamon has been waiting for, haha)

For spring break this year, the school choir went on a tour to the southern USA. Over the past few days, I've been to Memphis, New Orleans, Gulf Shores, and Nashville. It was absolutely magical, you guys. (and also tiring Igottwohoursofsleeplastnighthahaha)

I'll run down the highlights of what I did this last week, but definitely check out this photo album I made; y'all need to see the beauty of what I experienced. https://photos.app.goo.gl/7aNNWKUEMZjjC19w8 (hopefully the captions I spent time writing out show up for you)

Saturday: Left Iowa at an ungodly hour of the morning to end up at the hotel around 10:00 PM. Naturally my roommates and I didn't go to sleep until past midnight. This would be the earliest we got to sleep. 

Sunday: Busiest day of the tour; I was NOT prepared to go through the emotional whiplash that was the Civil Right's Museum at the Lorraine Motel (which is the site of MLK's assassination.) Tears were shed. There's something about seeing a piece of history so perfectly preserved that is... Well, words escape me, so I'm going to go with "indescribable." After lunch, we headed to the Orpheum Theater to watch Ain't Too Proud: The Life & Times of the Temptations. Lemme tell y'all. I don't even like musical theater that much, and it was the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed humans do. The cast deserved their standing ovation a million times over. After visiting Sun Studios (which was pretty meh) we went on a riverboat cruise with a live band. I partied so friggin' hard (and did a little art on the side while I was resting).

Monday: Saw Graceland (home of Elvis Presley). It was pretty and I'm glad I saw it, but eh. I hardly knew a lick about Elvis to begin with so it wasn't ridiculously impactful. Then we did a l o t of driving down to New Orleans, Louisiana and hunkered down for the night.

Tuesday: Second favorite day of the tour, shopping in the French Quarter of New Orleans! For those of you who haven't been... Go. Please. I'm telling you. That city is literally the most magical thing in the world. I can just imagine a fantasy author like Brandon Sanderson going over the worldbuilding of that place. The history, the culture, the music, the architecture, the food, and plant life. I can't even. When we left dinner the night we got there, there was a friggin live jazz band blaring in the streets. I have to go back to that place and spend more than just a few hours exploring; I didn't have nearly enough time to satisfy my curiosity. At least I got beignets though; the wait in line for Cafe Du Mond and mountain of powdered sugar that got on my clothes was worth it! 

Wednesday: Best. Day. Ever. We traveled to Gulf Shores, Alabama and I was not prepared for the white sand beach, cloudless sky, majestic surf, and perfect spring weather. We buried each other in sand, stood in the waves, and looked for sea shells. And yet for as wonderful as that was, it didn't compare to the dolphin sunset cruise that followed. We fed the seagulls Cheetos, watched dolphins jump alongside the boat, witnessed the sky glow over the foamy wake behind the boat, and jammed to great music. 

Thursday/Friday: Mostly driving. Like... holy crap a lot of driving. We went from Gulf Shores up to Nashville for some dinner (and the food was amazing BTW) and a show at the Grand Ole Opry. I was... very pleasantly surprised by how awesome the Opry was. I am not a country fan by any means but dang guys, good music is good music. Say what you will about the genre, but I witnessed some of the most outstanding musicianship last night. And then we drove... Y'all we drove. After the Opry, we drove through the night and didn't arrive back home until 8:30. My lower back is VERY unhappy about the positions I attempted to sleep in. (in case you're wondering, the position that did get me my fitful two hours was with my back on the seat and my legs against the window.)

So, yeah, I'll be getting to sleep as soon as possible.  This trip was FAR from stress free, but the memories and new friends I made are priceless.